Eligible for KR 2 grant

Dec 11 2010

Bhutan is eligible for KR 2 grant according to a study conducted by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This is welcome news for Bhutanese farmers who are all vying to own a Japanese power tiller.

Under the KR 2 grant, Japan provides different kinds of farm machinery including power tillers which are sold to Bhutanese farmers at highly subsidised rates. For a Bhutanese farmer, a power tiller is a must have commodity. The multipurpose power tillers can be used for ploughing fields, transporting farm produce and are well suited for our terrain.

Bhutan first received farm machinery under the KR 2 grant in 1984. Since then, the Agriculture Ministry has received more than 2,400 sets of power tillers.

An official from the Agriculture Machinery Centre in Paro said the grant has played an instrumental role in introducing mechanised farming. It is has helped Bhutanese farmers overcome farm labour shortage which is emerging as a major issue with more and more students going to school every year. “It will go a long way in reducing poverty,” he said.

For 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests has submitted a proposal for 300 sets of power tillers to the Japanese government. The feasibility study was carried out following the proposal.

The JICA team leader, Dr. Kunhiro Tokida said “the survey was important since it justifies the KR 2 project, proposed by the Royal Government.”

The Agriculture Secretary, Sherub Gyeltshen said the KR 2 grant has benefited Bhutanese farmers immensely and contributed to the country’s socio-economic development.